NEW DELHI, Nov 14: For decades, India's tribal heroes, whose courage shaped the nation's struggle against colonial oppression, remained largely on the margins of history. Under PM Modi, this narrative has been transformed. Through commemorative acts, memorials, publications, symbolic releases, and direct engagement with descendants, the stories of tribal freedom fighters are now celebrated as a cornerstone of India's national heritage.
Honouring History Through National Observances
Recognizing the importance of keeping tribal history alive, the Modi government established 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, marking the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, India's tribal revolutionary. Over time, this observance has expanded into Janjatiya Gaurav Week, celebrated across ministries and states with cultural programs, exhibitions, and educational activities that bring the legacy of tribal heroes to life.
In 2023, the government announced national celebrations of Rani Durgavati's 500th birth centenary, further highlighting the leadership and courage of India's tribal women. PM Modi has consistently linked these commemorations to living sites of resistance:
On Hul Diwas, he honoured the Santhal heroes Sidho-Kanho, Chand-Bhairav, and Phulo-Jhano, keeping their defiance against colonial oppression alive in public memory.
In Banswara, Rajasthan, he attended the Mangarh Dham ki Gaurav Gatha, commemorating heroes like Govind Guru, Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu-Kanhu, and Budhu Bhagat.
He also became the first sitting Prime Minister to visit Birsa Munda's birthplace in Ulihatu, Jharkhand, paying floral tributes to the leader of the Ulgulan movement, further embedding tribal heroism into the nation's cultural consciousness. |
